http://www.wpcwestlake.org/ en-us Westminster Presbyterian Church, Westlake Village, CA 91361 Westminster Presbyterian Church ℗ & © 2007-2008, WPC Westminster Presbyterian Church, Westlake Village, CA aubreyapple@mac.com no The Power of Being There Mark 10:13-16 Jim Burns, Ph.D. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120129.mp3 32:38 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:41:47 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120129.mp3 Living in the Knowledge of Christ Colossians 1:24-2:7 Rev. Steven B. Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120122.mp3 22:14 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:56:12 GMT When Paul wrote the letter to the Colossian church, it was because he knew the struggles they faced were a matter of life and death. Paul understood from others and his own personal experience that a clear understanding and knowledge of the salvation message was a treasure of the utmost value. The treasure is the Good News and it has serious implications to the lives of believers. To just receive the salvation message without lives being changed meant to Paul that the message was never understood. Our theology changes our biography; it is that simple. But how does the knowledge of Christ change us and what is important in our lives? Simply, it requires that we continue to live daily in Him. That means prayer, fellowship, teaching in the Word, caring for the needs of others, and acting upon the call of Christ, even when the culture around you says you are foolish. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120122.mp3 A Gut for God Colossians 1:11-23 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120115.mp3 27:22 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:15:12 GMT Some years ago at a workshop I made a dulcimer (a four stringed instrument you strum on your lap). Because I built it I know it well. If it were to become broken, I would know how to fix it. I can tell you stories about the little carvings in the sound holes (I'm rather proud of those). The point? To answer the question, "Who has authority to show us how to fix our lives and our world?" Answer, the "author" does. Read Colossians 1:13-23 with me this week. This is huge language, all about the Author's qualifications to show us a "rich and full" life. What does this mean to you? He is the author of your life and of this world. This Universe. Philosopher Dallas Willard said that "Jesus is the smartest man ever to live." He knows your business better than you do. Mine too! There's a reason! There's a reason why truth is beautiful. There's a reason why we are called into fellowship with one another. There's plenty of reason why we have hope. Jesus loves to repair "dulcimers" so together we can make beautiful music. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120115.mp3 True Religion Colossians 1:1-12 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120108.mp3 23:55 Sun, 8 Jan 2012 22:59:45 GMT How is your faith? In terms of the New Testament I could get my answer from you by asking how you love. How is your loving? Again, in terms of the New Testament I could get my answer to this question by asking what you hope. What do you hope? Hope is not just a sentiment. It is not "positive thinking"! What happens to how we love when we begin to "lose hope", or hope in unhopeful things? What happens to our faith? In the Bible hope is based in what we believe to be real. We do not believe in "death and taxes". The Risen Christ intends for your life and mine to be rich and full, beginning now. How? Read Colossians 1:1-12. Starting today, look for the evidence of his hand in your life. It's called "fruit". It's there. Trust Him. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120108.mp3 Guided by the Spirit Luke 2:21-34 Rev. Steven B. Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120101.mp3 21:20 Sun, 1 Jan 2012 22:03:26 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20120101.mp3 Why God Came: To Draw Us to Life John 1:1-5,14 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111224.mp3 13:48 Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:33:18 GMT This is real simple. First, please read John 1:1-5,14. Then ponder this question that I've been thinking about ever since last year's Christmas Eve candlelight service: "What is it about a candle that loves to light another candle?" Send me your thoughts. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111224.mp3 Why God Came: To Fulfill a Promise Matthew 1:1-17 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111218.mp3 24:32 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:05:10 GMT God works in extraordinarily ordinary ways. By that I mean what at first look seems to have no real significance, because of how God has shown Godself to work, turns out to be rich with meaning. For example, read with me this beginning of Matthew's gospel (Matthew 1:1-17). Your first reaction will probably be, "What is this? You just gave a list of 'begats'. How boring!" No. How "ordinary". Extraordinarily ordinary. It's tempting to write this part of Matthew off as an afterthought. This list is filled with success and failure, sinfulness, forgiveness, scandal, scheming, intrigue, insiders and outsiders of all kinds. These are very ordinary people through whom God fulfills God's Promise (you can refresh your memory by reading Genesis 12:1-3). It's through the likes of people like these that our Lord was born to the likes of us. The implications are extraordinary for what ordinary people like you and I do with today. Do not write off this day as "boring". http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111218.mp3 Why God Came: To Set Things Right Luke 1:26-36 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111211.mp3 26:29 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:13:04 GMT I used to like to thumb wrestle. There's a simple premise - the one who comes out on "top" wins. Power is about coming out on "top". The one on top gets to make the decisions, say what really matters, and who are the "losers". Luke's gospel is aware of the claims to power of Rome, of social custom, wealth and religious status. For example, read Luke 1:26-38. While Herod rules in Judea (1:5) and Emperor Augustus rules the empire (2:1), God's thumb is at work up in a nondescript little village called Nazareth. The angel comes to one with no status at all, a 12-year-old girl named Mary. She is God's "favored one". When Jesus is announced she is told he will be "great", "son of the Most High", the Lord God will give him the "throne", he will "reign", of his "kingdom". Luke's answer to the question why God came is "to set things right". A thought: that the powerful need to lose to God, not out of punishment, but rather to receive what God wants every one of us to have. It's good to be under His thumb. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111211.mp3 Why God Came: To Transform Us Mark 1:1-11 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111204.mp3 22:06 Sun, 4 Dec 2011 22:51:16 GMT In Advent we reflect on the coming of God in Jesus Christ. I want to ask a simple question: why did God come? The four gospels answer this question from four different perspectives. The first gospel (we call it The Gospel of Mark) was written in very hard times around 65-75 AD when it seemed everything was coming unglued. Mark doesn't take time for preliminaries. Read Mark 1:1-11 with me. "Immediately" (one of Mark's favorite words) we are confronted with the eccentric John the Baptist preparing the way. He says in effect, "This is it!" It's like a wakeup call. It's like an early morning splash of cold water in the face. His word is "repent" which means "turn around". This is not just new thinking but new action. It's as if Mark's answer to why God came is to wake us up to the dawn of a new... creation! What does waking up look like? Imagine yourself so "awake" to God's power, promise, presence and purpose that all you can imagine wanting is what God wants! How can this happen? Only one way. Only one. FInal thought: we live in between two advents. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111204.mp3 The Moment Before the Moment Jeremiah 33:14-16 Mr. Robert Douglas http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111127.mp3 21:30 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:00:28 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111127.mp3 Lord, Have Mercy Exodus 32-33 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111120.mp3 26:30 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:02:43 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111120.mp3 The Good Life Exodus 20:1-17 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111113.mp3 18:43 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:46:51 GMT God is the God of life. God loves what God has created. Apart from God there is no life. God loves you, and me. There seem to be some clear implications. Read Exodus 20:1-21 to see what these implications look like. One is that God would not tolerate our giving ourselves over to any other little gods, because all other little gods are death dealing. Idols wreak havoc and chaos. Another is that God cares deeply how we treat each other not just as individuals, or families, but as a society. Two keys. One is a rich and full faith nourished in robust worship. Another is detecting the idols that work in each of our lives and calling them OUT! Here is what God means by "the good life". The blessings of this good life go out for a "thousand generations"! http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111113.mp3 Summitry Exodus 19 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111106.mp3 20:25 Mon, 7 Nov 2011 23:43:15 GMT Catholic philosopher Charles Taylor observes that "high values require strong sources". This is what summitry is all about. Summitry is the art of going to a high place to see a great distance, think, decide and then commit. Read Exodus 19. First God delivers them. Then God provides for them in unexpected ways. Then God calls them to this summit meeting. Notice that this is not a comfortable meeting. It takes place in the deepest part of the desert. There is warning, fear, proposal, decision and then commitment. Here is what God is up against: God must find a way to break through a four hundred year old slave mentality bent around fear of pharaoh and all the other little Egyptian deities. We have our little deities too, don't we? Now read Hebrews 12:25-29 which ends with, "...let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire." Whether you and I realize it or not, you and I live our lives in the shadow of the mountain. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111106.mp3 Our Daily Bread Exodus 15:22-27, 16:1-5, 13-21 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111030.mp3 24:34 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:12:54 GMT Here is an essential, non-negotiable, unavoidable truth about the Christian life: the way out is the way in. We cannot enter into the new life without first leaving the old life. The first half of Exodus describes the way "out" of slavery in Egypt by God's mighty act of deliverance. Now read Exodus 16. This is the about the way "in". Those Israelites had a lot to learn, (don't we?) I'm tempted to say the way "in" is much more challenging than the way out. What do you think? What lessons does God have for them (and the rest of us) to learn? Here's just one. When the people complain about their empty stomachs God hears and provides "manna". Manna in Hebrew means, "What is this?" In other words, not what they expected. How is God providing for you? What do you expect? Note God's provisions in unexpected ways. Give thanks for those provisions. A miracle happens. God will use us in unexpected ways to provide hope to those who are beginning to believe they are all alone in the wilderness. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111030.mp3 Deliverance Exodus 13-14 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111023.mp3 25:04 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:27:29 GMT The way out is the way in. But the way out is not easy because as much as we hate how things are, they are familiar. The way out that leads to the way in therefore requires "deliverance". But we cannot deliver ourselves. Read the beautifully and powerfully remembered description of deliverance in Exodus 14", "Exodus chapter 14. You can see the struggle. But you can also see God at work. The prime mover is God. Always. To bring this to your own life, now read Psalm 23. From what do you sense God is working to deliver you today? Have courage, friend. God has a new life in Mind for you, for me, for all of us. Be bold to go with God. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111023.mp3 How to Never Forget Exodus 11:4-6; 12:1-13; 24-27 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111016.mp3 26:09 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:09:15 GMT Picture yourself holding a bow with an arrow strung between your fingers. You pull back on the string way back and hard, your arms straining to keep the tension. Now pull it even farther. Read Exodus 12:1-13. This is about the Passover, not just recalling what happened, but through detailed preparation, creating conditions to re-experience what happened. It is to "pull back" and re-member (that is re-join) the event that changed slaves with no hope into children with a future. "Hold on" to this challenging truth. This will take all your heart, soul, mind and strength- there is no life apart from God, the creator and giver of life. It is what the pharaoh in each one of us refuses to see. All other gods are false. There is no life in them. Our faith, and our confidence is rooted in history. We are not people with a slack bow. The farther back you can pull, the greater the power there will be for that moment when you release the arrow. Look at vv. 24-27. What if our children and grand children are like "arrows"? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111016.mp3 Bondage Warfare Exodus 6:1-13;26-7:6 Rev. Steve Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111009.mp3 27:22 Sun, 9 Oct 2011 21:58:19 GMT The Story of the Hebrews being pulled from the grip of the oppressive Egyptians is a powerful battle that will be retold until the Lord returns I am sure! The Israelites have been in slavery for 430 years and they do not know what it feels like to be the chosen people because they have been the slaves of the powerful for too long. But the Almighty has heard their cry and he will fulfill His covenant. In Exodus 6:6 we hear the Lord declare, "I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment." So the battle is on for God's people as we confront a worldview that affirms the power of God to free his people from bondage rather than settling for a lesser god. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111009.mp3 Next in Line Exodus 3:1-12 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111002.mp3 25:43 Sun, 2 Oct 2011 20:47:13 GMT While things seem to go from bad to worse we wonder, "Where is God? What is God doing?" Here is an unlikely answer in Exodus 3:1-10. God is meeting one man herding sheep out in the middle of the desert in the strange form of a bush on fire that is not consumed. It's a fascinating conversation out there, until you read v. 10, "So come, I will send you..." From 3:11 on to the end of this part of Exodus we hear the word "But..." five times. God will work God's plan through the likes of Moses, with whom we are supposed to closely identify. His excuses are ours. We have more where those came from! But in the end notice who "wins". Moses is only the next one to be brought into God's purposes. You and I are in a very long line of excuse makers. The key to remember is why He calls us. He loves us too much to leave us on the side. He wants us all with Him, forever. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20111002.mp3 Answer to Prayer Exodus 2 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110925.mp3 30:43 Sun, 25 Sep 2011 21:59:49 GMT The first chapter of Exodus describes the brutal enslavement of the Hebrews that went on for decades. The second chapter (read Exodus 2) describes the beginning of God's answer to their cries and groaning. This is the story of Moses' preparation. All this took years. Two things to ponder. One is that while Moses was getting ready, the Hebrews continued in slavery, their boy children in mortal danger, their daily lives filled with despair. They could not know what was underway as Moses spent years in the palace, then out in the desert. The passage of time is a hard one for us. Answers to prayer sometimes seem like they take forever. "God is never late" is hard to accept. This leads to a second thing to think about. Was God waiting for Moses to be ready? Look at all that he had to learn, and how long it took to learn it! Okay, here's a third thing. That the things that Moses experienced and learned were not for his own "growth" and "maturity". God loved Moses, to be sure. But it was never about Moses. And as much as we have a lot to learn, it's not about our learning it either. It's about those cries and groans that rise up to God who hears and answers prayers. Now read Luke 4:16-21. Are you ready? By his grace, love, power and promise the answer is "yes". http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110925.mp3 The Old Way Exodus 1 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110918.mp3 28:17 Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:39:13 GMT The word "exodus" literally means "the way out". It describes how departures take place. Implied is that the way out leads somehow to a way "in". Here is a profound truth attested to throughout our Bible: the way out is the way in. Beginning this Sunday we start an exploration into this truth by way of a study of the book of Exodus. Read Exodus 1:1-22 with me this week. Historical note: the Hebrews weren't always slaves in Egypt. There's some reasonable evidence that things went well for them for over 150 years before things changed for the worse. Was it tempting to fit in with this powerful civilization? To become like them? Notice the way "out" begins with two defiant and clever women who did not just "fit in" with Egyptian ways. The way out is never easy. Somehow God has to change what people (you and me) believe to be true. God has to break up the "slave mentality". Now read Galatians 4:1-7. Two questions for us to ponder: Do we want a new life? And, what if the new life God has in mind for us is not the new life we have in mind? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110918.mp3 Never Give Up Job 1:6-22; 40:1-14; 42:1-6 Rev. Steven B. Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110911.mp3 19:42 Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:56:49 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110911.mp3 Ordinary Lives for God's Extraordinary Plans Esther 4:13-16 Rev. Jennifer Kates Witten w. Martha Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110904.mp3 21:27 Sun, 4 Sep 2011 19:44:47 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110904.mp3 Josiah's Kingdom II Kings 22:1-13 Mr Luke Phillips/td> http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110828.mp3 22:32 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:47:22 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110828.mp3 Practical Christianity I John 3:16-18 Dr. Keith Phillips http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110821.mp3 29:57 Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:40:54 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110821.mp3 Greed: A Slipery Slope II Kings 4-5 Rev. John Burnett http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110814.mp3 25:23 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:57:37 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110814.mp3 The Lord is Watching I Kings 21 Rev. Steve Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110807.mp3 23:03 Sun, 7 Aug 2011 21:28:24 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110807.mp3 In the Quiet I Kings 19:11-13 Rev. John Burnett http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110731.mp3 19:22 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 19:58:33 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110731.mp3 A Fresh Word I Kings 12:25-13:10 Rev. Jennifer Kates Witten http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110724.mp3 24:28 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:40:24 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110724.mp3 The Gift of Work Titus 3:14 Mr. Bill Heatley http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110717.mp3 29:44 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 21:14:56 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110717.mp3 A Turning of the Heart I Kings 4:29-34 Mr. Robert Douglas http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110710.mp3 16:07 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:35:00 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110710.mp3 The Shepherd King I Samuel 18:1-5 Mr. Luke Phillips http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110703.mp3 19:52 Sun, 3 Jul 2011 20:01:17 GMT This Sunday we will begin a brand new sermon series called "Profiles in Transformation." Last summer we were in a similar series called "Profiles in Learning" about the Judges of the Old Testament. We had a particular interest in "learning" lessons from them. In this new series we will pick up where we left off with the O.T. characters but will be interested in the way their lives were transformed. We will begin with Jonathan and David this Sunday. Jonathan's life was transformed by David. This week we will see how similar we are to Jonathan and how similar David was to Jesus. Why was Jonathan's soul knit to David's? How did Jonathan demonstrate that love? Come this Sunday to find out. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110703.mp3 The Prayer of Faith James 5:13-20 Rev. Steve Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110626.mp3 27:57 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 20:44:12 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110626.mp3 Empowered to do Good James 5:1-6; Micah 6:6-8 Rev. Jennifer Kates Witten http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110619.mp3 20:02 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:58:22 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110619.mp3 Wise Up! James 3:13-4:10 Rev John Burnett http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110612.mp3 19:19 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 20:20:46 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110612.mp3 The Soundtrack To Your Life Psalm 150:1-6 Catherine Gebhardt http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110605-3.mp3 20:30 Sun, 5 Jun 2011 21:47:09 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110605-3.mp3 Let It Shine! Matthew 5:13-16 Anna Barson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110605-2.mp3 11:53 Sun, 5 Jun 2011 21:47:55 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110605-2.mp3 Shiver Me Timbers - Hold Your Tongue James 3:1-12 Julie Sexton http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110529.mp3 28:14 Sun, 29 May 2011 21:17:26 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110529.mp3 On Playing Favorites James 2:1-13 Rev. Steve B. Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110522.mp3 21:58 Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:11 GMT The book of James is one that is very direct and practical. In our text for this week James confronts the early Christians with a major issue in their community: there is an attitude of partiality from the rich toward the poor. James is clear that if there is any discrimination among the members in the church, it must be called out because it is a violation of part of the Royal Law (Love of our Neighbor). Do we judge others by how they dress, or where they come from, or even by their social class? As we prepare for the teaching of James this Sunday, let's take some time to notice how we love those around us, because it matters to God. Our expression of love to every person with whom we come into contact is the very center of God's desire for our lives. See you Sunday. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110522.mp3 Faith Works James 1:19-27 Dr. Moses Pulei http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110515.mp3 28:45 Sun, 15 May 2011 21:06:37 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110515.mp3 Life is a Gift! James 1:9-18 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110508.mp3 23:55 Sun, 8 May 2011 19:33:58 GMT It's instructive how I felt about myself after spending three hours trying to balance our checkbook. Normally I get this done in fifteen minutes. I felt incompetent, a failure, and angry. We say we want to know how our faith applies to our everyday lives. Well, here is one way. Money is often the place where we experience "spiritually significant trials". At stake is our self-worth, what we believe about what makes us "secure", and how we can be "happy". Read James 1:9-18 with me. Clearly he's pondering his brother Jesus' teaching about the power money has (Jesus gives it a name - "mammon"). It has the power to "test" us, and "tempt" us. James' strategy is to get us to think clearly about our assumptions about what makes for "richness", and then to plug in to the power of God by action. His goal, as is Jesus', is our joy. This one we live out every single day every time we give ourselves away. Money-based worth is ephemeral. God-based worth is eternal. Pastor Dick Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110508.mp3 With All the Windows Open James 1:1-8 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110501.mp3 14:39 Sun, 1 May 2011 20:37:04 GMT The seven windows in the Lord's house of prayer provide all the light we need to live wisely and faithfully. Jesus' brother James believed this. The work attributed to him is about how faith works. We see that "faith" in the New Testament is not just something we "have", it's something we "do". Both of these brothers understood how our faith gets tested every day. Read James 1:1-8. On a good day we know these trials make us stronger. We are like athletes toughening our muscles. James says when we can't make sense of what's happening to us or how to respond, to get ourselves back into the house of prayer to ask for wisdom. But what if we're not sure he's right? What about the bad days when these doubts plague us? It's like trying to stand in two canoes. A thought: "Doubt" is not the opposite of faith, unbelief is. Maybe our doubts are trying to tell us something. I ran across this from Os Guinness, "Find out how seriously a believer takes his or her doubts and you have the index of how seriously he or she takes faith." http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110501.mp3 The Window on Deliverance Matthew 6:13 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110424.mp3 15:46 Sun, 24 Apr 2011 20:11:07 GMT He had been helping to dig a deep trench to fix a drain at our church. Suddenly he felt pressure on his chest. We called 911 and within minutes the paramedics came. They checked his "vitals". They hooked up sensors. They gently placed him on a stretcher and rolled him into the ambulance. On the way to the emergency room his heart stopped. But the paramedics were ready. Right there in the ambulance they placed two paddles on his chest and shocked him back to life. After a short stay in the hospital he came home. Today he's doing great. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110424.mp3 The Window of Guidance Matthew 4:1-11; Matthew 6:13 Rev. Steve B. Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110417.mp3 25:30 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:45:46 GMT When was the last time you felt lost? Maybe it was in a wilderness setting, or maybe a station in your life when you needed a guide to get you to a new place. When we get ourselves into those difficult places and we finally realize we need help to pull ourselves out of a bad place, what does help look like? Is it a map, a friend, a good word from the Bible, or the still voice of God that provides the way out of that difficult situation? This week we open the Window of Guidance in the midst of a world that has many temptations. Our Lord is available to be that guide to help us avoid the pitfalls that come when we think we can go it alone. This Sunday we will focus our attention on the issue of following the Lord's guidance for this journey of faith for how we are to live, rather than something less. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110417.mp3 The Window of Confession Matthew 18:23-35; Matthew 6:12 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110410.mp3 26:02 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 20:29:42 GMT Make a fist and keep it tight for one minute. What happens? Your knuckles go white because you're pressing the blood out of them. Your muscles start to sing. Your blood pressure goes up too. During this minute, this hand in the form of a fist is not available to shake my hand, or pick up a cup of joe, or a broom. Now open your fist. The blood flows back in, your muscles relax, your blood pressure drops too. We have a word for this, we say we "release" our grip. Interesting that this is the word used to translate "forgiveness" in this fifth window in our Lord's house of prayer. We are to pray, "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." Jesus wants us freed up. He wants to keep us that way. This fifth window opens onto confession, and therefore releasing ourselves and others. So this window opens onto restored relationships and community. The question with forgiveness is always "who will begin?" Our Lord has already answered this by showing us the first four windows. Read Matthew 18:23-35 to see the implications. Being forgiven (released) and forgiving (releasing) is all one thing. But it begins with you and me asking for all we owe to God to be forgiven. Everything. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110410.mp3 The Window of Petition Exodus 16:1-8; Matthew 6:10 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110403.mp3 18:50 Sun, 3 Apr 2011 20:43:10 GMT I catch a little CNBC each morning just to listen in on the financial chatter. My question is, how is it these people don't get ulcers? Or maybe many of them do. The goal seems to be to build wealth and assure security by accurately predicting the market. But then stuff happens. It happens all the time, doesn't it? A person can begin to wonder, "What's the use?" When Jesus teaches us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" he opens a fourth window I'm calling the window of "petition" for our essential human needs. It's not our daily "latte". Through this window we see our own and others' dependence on God's provision. This window sheds light on what wealth is for. It opens onto the ministry of hospitality. In thankful hands earthly things take on heavenly values. Picture praying with your hands open to receive what God, your loving Father, the awesome One, who means to accomplish amazing things in and through you, will give you today. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110403.mp3 The Window of Submission Revelation 21:1-6; Matthew 6:10 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110327.mp3 23:56 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 19:26:42 GMT The third window in Jesus' house of prayer I am calling the "window of submission". Immediately we have issues. We love our freedom, don't we? We tell ourselves we don't submit to anyone. But is this true? We stop at red lights. We write checks to the IRS. Maybe the real question is: who or what has your "devotion"? Who or what shapes what you believe is important, what you will live for, and even die for? The vital key to seeing clearly through Jesus' third window is what we have already taken in through the first two windows opened to us in the Lord's Prayer - that God is our Father in heaven (the window of intimate conversation) and that God is awesomely holy and wonder-full (the window of awe and praise). When we love someone, we want to please them. We want to share life with them. Here is what Jesus means by "submission". It's why we pray for His kingdom to come and God's will to be done on earth as in heaven. But this is not an easy window to peer through. We begin to see what God sees; that, God help us, there is so very much that needs doing not only in our own lives, but all around us. What will please God today? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110327.mp3 The Window of Awe and Praise Exodus 3:1-6; Matthew 6:9 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110320.mp3 24:09 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 19:31:38 GMT Imagine someone introducing you to a stranger like this, "This is Bucky Boy. That's what I like to call him. He doesn't mind what you call him, it's all good. What I like about him is that it doesn't matter how you treat him, he just takes it all in like it makes no difference..." In a heartbeat you'd jump in and make your own introduction. You'd say your real name and tell the stranger about yourself, so that he or she could get to know the real you. It's the only way a good relationship that will last can get started. Jesus teaches us to pray in His prayer, "Hallowed be thy name." This is asking God to make God's own introduction, because anyone else is going to get it wrong. It is to pray, "Please, dear God, make it obvious to everyone that You are and will be the center of all things." "Hallowing" means "setting apart to be honored as holy". Think of the ways God answers this prayer. Jesus invites us to peer through the second prayer window of awe and praise. Where does praying this leave us? Where we belong, on our knees. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110320.mp3 The Window of Intimate Conversation Romans 8:12-17; Matthew 6:9 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110313.mp3 22:14 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 20:18:37 GMT Jesus was really angry. As he knocked over tables of the money exchangers and kicked aside the chairs of the dove salesmen, their birds fluttering up and away like hearts set free he was heard to shout, "My house shall be a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of thieves." "Den" as in "cave", as in a dark place without windows where things remain hidden in security conscious suspicion. When Jesus' followers asked him how to pray he gave them (and the rest of us) what we have come to call "The Lord's Prayer". Actually this prayer is a guided tour of the windows in the house of prayer. There are seven. This Sunday we begin with the first window. When we pray "Our Father in heaven" we are opening the window of "intimate conversation". Why does Jesus have us begin here? Is this where you typically begin? This window opens onto God's intense love for us. It brings light into our darkest places, not always a welcome experience. But take heart. Read a famous story about God the Father's love for us all in Luke 15:11-24. Next time you say, "Dear God," stop and imagine big strong arms wrapping around your tired soul. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110313.mp3 The Final Breakthrough Matthew 18:21-22 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110306.mp3 14:13 Sun, 6 Mar 2011 22:16:46 GMT Peter once asked Jesus, "How often should I forgive?" Jesus answered either, "Seventy-seven times" or "Seven times seventy" (depending on how you translate this). See Matthew 18:21-22. "Wow," we say to ourselves. "Really? That's a lot!" But there are two assumptions at work here. One is that Peter prefaced his question with, "If my brother/sister sins against me..." It makes me think how often you and I forgive and are forgiven in our life together, in our families and among our close friends. How about over a one year period of time? Seven times seventy would be a low number. The other assumption is that most of the time forgiveness follows in response to confession. In other words, it is assumed that these relationships are rooted in life together nurtured on grace and truth. Why are confession and forgiveness so important? You already know the answer. But just to add, "forgiveness" means "to release". It means to be set free. It means to be restored and repaired. Confession leads to what Dietrich Bonhoeffer calls "break-throughs" to vital life together, to certainty that forgiveness is real, and to new life. It all begins with getting to know each other as brothers and sisters in Christ - not just Sunday morning encounters in pews and stackable chairs, but around kitchen tables and coffee tables during the week. This coming Sunday is the final opportunity to sign up for one of 55 small groups gathering throughout the week at WPC during Lent. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110306.mp3 Abraham Lincoln 2011: Wisdom for Today Abraham Lincoln 2011: Wisdom for Today Rev. Ronald C White, Jr. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/roncwhite20110228.mp3 65:23 Wed, 2 Mar 2011 03:28:11 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/roncwhite20110228.mp3b Abraham Lincoln's Sermon on the Mount Matthew 7:5 Rev. Ronald C White, Jr. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110227.mp3 29:57 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 23:15:04 GMT "Lincoln has often been portrayed as not religious, in part because he never joined a church. How to reconcile this, then, with the deep religious insights of his second inaugural address, given only weeks before his death? Where are the missing pieces in his spiritual odyssey? One clue is private musing on the question of the activity of God in the Civil War found after his death by his young secretary, John Hay, in a bottom drawer of his desk. A second is a religious mentor in Washington who played a largely overlooked role in the story of Lincoln's evolving religious beliefs". This Sunday we welcome Dr. Ron C. White, author of New York Times best seller, A. Lincoln, to help us learn from the most popular president in the history of our country. Dr. White brings us "Abraham Lincoln's Sermon on the Mount" from Matthew 7:5. Prepare to be inspired by what inspired President Lincoln. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110227.mp3 Serving One Another (II) Truth Building Ephesians 4:14-16 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110220.mp3 22:30 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 22:07:18 GMT I'm thinking about "truth-building" based on "trust-building". Whom do you trust to tell you the truth? This will be a very special person. This is someone you know cares about you. This is probably someone you know cares about the truth in his or her life. This might even be a person who trusts you to tell him or her the truth. There are three problems in "truth-building". One is deep skepticism about anything really being "true". The second is our fear that in speaking the truth we will be rejected. The third is we wonder who has the authority to speak the truth? Read Ephesians 4:15-16 with me this week. You can see all three problems addressed in just two verses of God's Word. Notice this text is bookended with the little phrase, "in love". Here's how to practice truth building: This week allow someone you trust to speak the truth in love to you. Pay attention to how you respond. Bonhoeffer says the more able we are to gratefully accept even severe reproaches and admonitions, the more free and objective we become in speaking ourselves. God needs for us to be special persons in each other's lives. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110220.mp3 Serving One Another (1): Trust Building Galatians 6:1-3 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110213.mp3 27:49 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:32:52 GMT I'll let someone I trust fix what is broken. Because I've watched my mechanic deal with all sorts of problems over the years, I trust his recommendation that it's time for that 00 repair on my aging car. Trust is essential. We let someone we trust fix our twisted ankle, or marriage. Why would it be any different when it comes to our relationship with God? We ALL need help. But the key is whom do we trust to help? Who can trust us? I'm thinking about Galatians 6:1-3 this week. This is about "restoration". But the first question is how does trust get built? What helps you trust someone enough to let them bear your burdens? What helps others trust you to bear theirs? Dietrich Bonhoeffer has some suggestions. How about controlling our tongues, practicing meekness, listening, helpfulness and burden bearing? The theme that seems to run through all this is "humility". This week, take note of the many opportunities God is going to place across your path and schedule to practice becoming the kind of person others can trust. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110213.mp3 On Being Alone Mark 1:35 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110206.mp3 19:18 Sun, 6 Feb 2011 22:00:52 GMT I was intrigued to learn that the 35 Chilean miners had worked out a way for each man to have time alone in a little recess away from the large open space in the mine shaft. It is also intriguing to me that our Lord arose very early in the morning and went off to a deserted place to be alone to pray (Mark 1:35) before he undertook a demanding day of ministry. It seems time alone with God is essential to life together. Dietrich Bonhoeffer delivers a warning about life in Christian community, "Let him who cannot be alone beware of community." Why is this? Is it possible that we can actually hide from God in community? That life with others can serve as a distraction from what God wants to say and do in each one of us individually? What drives our busy-ness? Perhaps we fear being alone. What if God needs us alone with him to address that fear? Think how liberating this could be! Think of how we might be able to encourage others who have those same fears. How about this: meditate on Psalm 23 this week. Then pray for God's help in your situation, and those of others. Include your enemies. I wonder how God will use your time alone with him to help US grow? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110206.mp3 Child-like Faith Matthew 18:1-5 Mrs. Julie Sexton http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110130.mp3 29:09 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:16:17 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110130.mp3 Try This at Home Colossians 3:14-17 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110123.mp3 23:31 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:36:23 GMT What would happen if you tried at home what we do on Sundays? Your first response might be, "Oh, I could never. I don't have the right words. Most of the time I don't feel like it, and neither does anyone else. Besides, we're busy..." But I listen to Colossians 3:16 tell me, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you [plural] richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God..." This is not just about Sundays. "Richly" suggests "dailiness". So I wonder, what might happen if we all took a chance on God and, during the week, we did at home, or with a friend, what we do at church on Sundays? Just for starters try this at home: Read Psalm 121 out loud with whomever you gather - three times s-l-o-w-l-y. Then pray for everyone's day. Here's an amazing thing: when you pray with the psalms you are praying the prayers of Jesus. You are praying the prayers of His body through all time all around the world. In fact you are praying with God's own Word. See? You do have the words. Knowing this has a way of changing how we "feel" too. And besides, this didn't take hardly any time. What do you think? All the Holy Spirit needs is just a foot in the door... http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110123.mp3 On "Dailiness" Hebrews 10:23-25; Acts 2:37-47 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110116.mp3 23:25 Sun, 16 Jan 2011 22:24:34 GMT Listen to this brief description of Christians together from Acts 2: "Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread from house to house and ate their food with glad and generous hearts..." I'm zeroing in on this business of "day by day". The note in one of my Bibles says, "Luke's characterization may be an idealized picture..." At first we think, "Yeah, who's got time for this? We're busy! Let's get real! If I make it to church on Sunday I'm doing well. 'Day by day'? Give me a break." Ideal sounds like "perfect picture", wishful thinking, an illusion. But then it dawns on me to ask, "But wait a minute. Who's the 'idealist' here?" What if those first Christians were gripped, not by some ideal, or some fantasy? What if they were gripped by something, Someone, who caused them to rethink all their assumptions about what really matters? And then I have to ask, what is it that has us so preoccupied? Maybe "day by day-ness" was the way for those first believers, with God's grace, to remain realists. Who might God have placed in your daily life to help you, whom you can help, remember that you are His forever? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110116.mp3 Not an Ideal Psalm 133; I Corinthians 13 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110109.mp3 23:42 Sun, 9 Jan 2011 22:07:53 GMT Ron and Diane (not their real names) just never seemed satisfied with their new church. The room wasn't right. The subject for the study was always "off". There was a certain feeling missing that they struggled to put into words. Try as I might to help, I was never successful. Finally it dawned on me what was going on. Ron and Diane had come from another church where they had experienced, as they recalled, a special sense of belonging and contribution. They had come to our church with the idea of re-creating that experience. I'm looking at Psalm 133 alongside I Corinthians 13 this week and thinking about what Dietrich Bonhoeffer says in Life Together - that Christian community is not an "ideal", or some "vision" or "dream" or even special spiritual experience. Our life together is a grace of God. It is a "divine reality". There are many implications. For Ron and Diane, one was that they had to be "dis-illusioned" so that they could fully receive the gift of life together in their new church. Another is that other believer we may not even like represents Christ to us! And we to him or her! Yet another is that a phone call, even a "text" to check in and pray with a brother or sister away from Christian community brings Christ Himself to that person. Maybe it makes you wonder, who needs to hear from Christ today? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110109.mp3 Hungry We Come ... To Be With You Matthew 2:1-12 Rev. Jennifer Kates Witten http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110102.mp3 22:36 Sun, 2 Jan 2011 21:53:35 GMT I have two proposals for you this Sunday. We are in the middle of the 12 days of Christmas celebration and this week we'll remember the story of the Maji who came to the Christ child bearing gifts. I'm thinking we should do the same. Will you come to worship with the gift of a food item to serve our friends in need? Let's fill the narthex with our "gifts" for the Christ child and offer some practical help to our neighbors. Check out www.mannaconejo.org for what is currently most needed. Second, it will be our first Sunday of the new year and we're celebrating Communion. To deepen our gratitude for this meal, I want to invite you to practice the ancient Christian tradition of fasting before you come to worship on Sunday, if you are able. I'll be honest with you, I don't have a lot of experience with this, and I know skipping a meal seems counter intuitive. But, this practice is found all over the Bible and all throughout Christian history, and the purpose is ultimately to bring us closer to God. Isn't that what we want? Especially as we go into the New Year? I know that is what the Maji were looking for. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20110102.mp3 Angels Directing Traffic Matthew 2:13-23 Rev. Steve B. Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101226.mp3 29:35 Sun, 26 Dec 2010 21:39:45 GMT Have you thought much about how the Lord uses Angels to send messages to us? While the Lord does not use this method of communication much, the Lord does use it every now and then. In the story of Mary Joseph and the Baby Jesus, we notice the Lord using angels many times to both announce and protect the early life of Jesus. In the midst of that protection, the Lord is often verifying the divine life of Jesus by fulfilling many prophetic passages of the Old Testament. God's secret agents are the angels that are sent to give messages of protection for Jesus and his family while King Herod seeks to kill anyone who might pose a threat to his rule in Judea. So, as we prepare to visit upon this wonderful passage of angelic protection, let us be mindful that the Lord still does protect those who are following his Kingdom plan. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101226.mp3 Prepare Him Room Luke 2:1-20 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101224.mp3 11:55 Sat, 25 Dec 2010 18:20:41 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101224.mp3 Truth Incarnate John 1:1-5,14 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101219.mp3 21:31 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:22:27 GMT A man keeps a little secret from his wife of 43 years. Over the weeks that he harbors this secret something compels him to own up. But he is ambivalent. What might happen to his relationship when she finds out what he has done? What might happen to him? I'm considering John 1:1-5,14 this week. This is a passage about Jesus' birth - of the Word becoming flesh to show us God's glory, "the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." We are nervous about the truth because if something is really true then we must face it. But God's truth is gracious. And God's grace is truthful. The man can confess what he has done only by his trusting that grace and truth will stay together, and so will his marriage. It's such a small thing, isn't it? But this is where we all live most of the time. It's another reason why He came. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101219.mp3 On Wrestling Genesis 32:22-32 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101212.mp3 22:15 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 20:30:10 GMT When we were kids my brother and I used to wrestle dad, two on one, in the middle of the living room floor. He had some nice moves he learned from his brothers, one of whom was an Iowa state champion wrestler. Wrestling is about cleverness and leveraging. It's close-in struggle where you learn about your opponent with each move. Who "wins" depends on what you mean by "winning". I'm wrestling with Genesis 32:22-32 because here we learn that God is looking for a match. "In this corner- the Lord. And in your corner, you!" Here is an example of what happens when the Lord shows up, when the Lord "incarnates". It is not all peace and light. It is a wrestling match. Look what happens to Jacob. He comes out ready to reconcile with his brother Esau. He gets a new name. He also has a limp. Has some of this happened to you too? With what are you wrestling just now? Or perhaps I should ask, with Whom? Last thought: wrestling is a good thing. It is the opposite of indifference. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101212.mp3 On Hiding Ezekiel 34:11-16, Genesis 3:1-9 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101205.mp3 17:42 Sun, 5 Dec 2010 21:26:05 GMT On the one hand you win the lottery. On the other hand now you have to decide what you will do with all that money. On the one hand you welcome your first child into the world. On the other hand now your whole world is turned upside down. This is the experience of "ambivalence". On the one hand we celebrate the birth of Christ 2,000 years ago. On the other hand Christ is not done. There will be a second "advent". I'm contemplating our ambivalence about God coming (which is what "advent" means). It begins in the beginning. Read Genesis 3:8-12 to see a first experience with "advent". Often we succumb to ambivalence and try to hide from God. Hiding leads to loneliness and lostness. Thank God God comes (advents) like a good shepherd to find us (John 10:14-16). http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101205.mp3 The Unexpected Hour Matthew 24:36-44 Rev. Steve B. Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101128.mp3 25:17 Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:45:12 GMT The season of Advent begins for the Church this coming Sunday. The term Advent means "coming" and second coming all at once. When we celebrate the Advent season we look ahead to see what is coming, not only at the arrival of the Christ at Christmas, but also to the arrival of Christ, after he had been dead for three days, on Easter Sunday. If the Easter resurrection did not happen, we would not spend much time noticing December 25th, because the two days are very connected. So, when we take a look at Matthew 24:36-44, we see the Biblical observation of the second coming which is to come on the far side of Easter. Now here is the kicker: as we wait for the Christmas moment to come, we also are to be ready, "Because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." So then our call during this season of Advent is to keep a watchful eye for the moments when we just might see Jesus if we are ready and have eyes to see. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101128.mp3 Vision, Intention, Means Hebrews 12:18-13:19 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101121.mp3 22:51 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:23:52 GMT If I said, "Using three words, how would you describe the process of Christian growth, " can you get it down to something so simple? I think it's possible. I'm reading the conclusion to this marvelous opus called Hebrews (12:1-13:25) to get ready to make a case for three words: Vision, Intention, Means. "Vision" has to be of what is real, not just of what I'd like to believe is real. "Intention" is wanting to pursue that vision. It is the experience of being convicted. It can even be wanting to want to pursue that vision. And "means" describes the way we pursue that vision. Together they make the acronym "vim", which means "vigorous", "strong", "vital". Are you filled with vim? Read this passage all the way through and prepare to be challenged and blessed. See you on Sunday. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101121.mp3 Consider Jesus (II) Hebrews 12:1-17 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101114.mp3 21:41 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:31:10 GMT WPC is an amazing place. I hear people in the new members classes make comments about all that goes on here. Did you know there are 23 different mission projects we support? That there are over 100 different ministries happening on a regular basis? A few years ago I became "convicted" by a sobering question that perhaps has occurred to you about your own Christian faith: What make all this sustainable? What about the fatigue factor? I'm contemplating Hebrews 12:1-17, appropriately enough, for WPC's 42nd anniversary this Sunday. The answer to my own question is in these words, "Look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God." In other words, "Follow Him!" Every day. In every relationship. In every tough decision. In every temptation to do the easy thing. To let someone else handle it. Maybe "fatigue" and "sustainability" have a whole more to do with where we fix our eyes and our hope than they do our output. Ask Him to take over, everything. This is what we mean by "discipleship". http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101114.mp3 Faith's Adrenaline Hebrews 11:1-12:1 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101107.mp3 19:48 Sun, 7 Nov 2010 22:35:25 GMT A friend's son marched in the Rose Parade. That's five miles long! I asked him how his son could march in formation playing his clarinet that long. He said his son didn't really notice the miles because of all the people cheering them on every step of the way. Read Hebrews 11:1-12:1. I'm thinking about "faith's adrenaline" this week - what keeps us going over the whole "route" of this life. The analogy breaks down though. I've never marched in a parade. But everyone here in the roll call of Hebrews 11 has! They've all been where you and I are just now. They all know what this is like. And they all know how brief our time is before we join them in the stands. Think of someone you love who is with the Lord now. Given what they now know, what do you think they'd want to say to you about faith, hope, love, courage, and endurance? How does your clarinet sound? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101107.mp3 Don't Try Christianity Alone Hebrews 10:19-39 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101031.mp3 27:09 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:55:47 GMT Think of the mentors, coaches, friends, even strangers who have most effectively "encouraged" you to grow in some way. I put "encouraged" in quotes because I don't mean that we particularly enjoyed it in the moment when we were being "encouraged". For example, I once had a preaching coach who "encouraged" me with, "Thompson, you were boring! What happened to you up there?!" I've never forgotten his lesson. Read Hebrews 10:19-39 and you'll see some pretty strong "encouragement". An essential truth and assumption is that the Christian life cannot be lived alone. Don't even think about it. That can be dangerous. We need each other. Who are your provocateurs? Who loves you enough to give you "feedback" on your spiritual life? Who do you love enough to provoke to greater faith, hope and love? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101031.mp3 What We Don't Get Hebrews 9:1-14 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101024.mp3 24:39 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 20:50:32 GMT Christians hear this all the time: "Christ died for you." But right here we have a disconnect. How so? How can one die for another? Why is this so difficult for us to get? On one level we're Americans raised on the myth of the "imperial self". I can be "self-made". I seek "self-fulfillment". I need "self-esteem". But sooner or later life teaches us these are all fallacies. On a deeper level I suspect we struggle with our own sinfulness. We don't want to talk about this, so we defend against anyone getting close, including Christ. Read Hebrews 9:11-14. The key to our liberation is here. Another word for this is "release". Another is "forgiveness". The Lord Jesus loves you and me too much to leave us hiding by ourselves. He wants us joyful, bold, generous, full-blooded alive serving Him. What a relief to finally discover we do not fulfill ourselves... http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101024.mp3 Getting Real with God Hebrews 8 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101017.mp3 29:25 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:44:15 GMT I love my tent. It's my "sanctuary" against the rain, the cold and the bugs. It does have its limits. I've read that my tent can handle 60 mph winds, though I've never been in those conditions to see if that's true. Nor would my tent handle a big brown visitor sniffing out that jar of peanut butter I very unwisely forgot to pack away in my bear barrel. So in truth my little tent isn't really much of a "sanctuary". I wonder if there aren't lots of things that we like to call our "sanctuary" but when things get tough fail us. Could this even include what we call "religion"? I'm pondering Hebrews 8:1-13 this week. We read in v. 2 about a "true tent" that the Lord, and not any mortal, has - the Greek word is - "pitched". We're all looking for what we can really count on when the wind picks up, or when we are "visited" by really big, hairy scary events. So we do not lose heart, or hope. I think this chapter is a call "back" to worship where it's really safe, in His tent. You and I go there every time we pray. Every time we gather on Sundays. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101017.mp3 If Jesus Had a Middle Name Hebrews 6:13-7:10 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101010.mp3 28:29 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:37:31 GMT If Jesus had a middle name, what do you think it would be? Middle names are often strange and obscure. At least I thought mine was. I kept it a secret all through my childhood right through adolescence. But as I grew up I came to realize what many of our middle names are meant to convey- the memory of someone important who plays a part in our history. Sometimes we say, "such and such is my middle name" and by this we mean, "This is about my character, you count on it." Read Hebrews 6:13-7:10 with me to discover what I think would qualify for a great middle name for Jesus. Jesus' middle name tells us who he is and what he is doing every moment for you and me, and us all. Take Hebrews 7:25 in through your pores. As we say, Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us." Count on Him. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101010.mp3 Why We Have to Grow Up Hebrews 5:11-6:12 Rev. John Burnett http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101003.mp3 26:20 Sun, 3 Oct 2010 19:35:00 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20101003.mp3 Get a Grip! Hebrews 4:12-5:10 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100926.mp3 28:03 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:10:08 GMT I hate sit-ups. I do them but I have to argue with myself. One side of me says, "This is just too painful. I think I'll just quit". The other side says, "But you've only have 80 more to go and then you're done. Just think how you're helping your back..." I wonder what we are telling ourselves about how our religion is supposed to go. Are we telling ourselves it's not supposed to be this hard? Could this be one reason we are tempted to lose our grip? Read Hebrews 4:14-5:10 with me this week. There's a theme. Consider Jesus. He's been through it too. He knows what this is like. He's been tested. Was he tempted to quit like we are? Here's something to ponder: "Suffering is the sound of the human spirit opening itself to the presence and power of God. It is the very path by which humans become transformed, as was Jesus, into full mature children of God." What are we telling ourselves about how this is supposed to go? How might the Holy Spirit argue with you? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100926.mp3 The No-Vacation Nation Hebrews 4:1-11 Nathan Reeder http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100919.mp3 22:55 Sun, 19 Sep 2010 21:48:52 GMT The United States has been called the "No-Vacation Nation." Out of the 33 richest countries in the world the U.S. is the only one with no legally-required paid vacation for its workers. Americans value productivity, not rest. And yet God commands His people, "The seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work." The author of Hebrews says that the world to come will be like the Sabbath. Will the average American feel out of place in the world to come? Will you? Read Hebrews 4:1-11. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100919.mp3 What Makes a House a Home Hebrews 3:1-19 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100912.mp3 29:06 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:14:28 GMT What makes a house a home? It's an old question that teaches wisdom. We know it's not the appliances or the flooring, or the nice view out the back, or a fireplace in the family room. There are plenty of houses that have these things but they are no guarantee there is warmth, comfort, acceptance, help, challenge and growth. How does a home begin to become reduced to a "house"? Read Hebrews 3 with me this week. Here is a warning to Christians not to take their faith or their life together for granted. It happens in families doesn't it? It can also happen in communities of Christ's people. Notice v. 12, "Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." "Taking care" is the precise opposite of indifference. We do this for each other, every day. Because on any given day one of us for sure is slipping. Who does the Holy Spirit want you to reach out to today? We are in this together. Each day this week is another opportunity for each one of us to help make sure our house is a home. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100912.mp3 Help on the Test Hebrews 2:1-2:18 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100905.mp3 23:57 Sun, 5 Sep 2010 19:53:36 GMT I find it interesting that in the Greek New Testament there is one word that can be translated as "test, trial and temptation". This word is usually used to describe what happens when we suffer. I think we intuitively know why. Suffering "tests" us by exposing what we have been telling ourselves how life is "supposed" to go. We are faced with what we believe, and whether we can continue to believe what we have believed. We can be tempted to give up and slip into not believing anything. This is called "indifference". It is also called "despair" or hopelessness. Read Hebrews 2:5-18 with me this week. God understands how this is with us. God has done everything to assure that we will "pass" the tests. One key to surviving suffering is to know that we don't struggle alone. Another is to have some solid assurance that the future is assured so that fear doesn't take us over. What's testing you? Memorize v. 18. With His help you are going to pass! http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100905.mp3 Consider Jesus (I) Hebrews 1:1-2:1 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100829.mp3 27:41 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:38:07 GMT Does anyone care that indifference is a serious problem? At least when somebody gets mad, or even hates, there's energy and movement. But indifference is like a boat adrift. Christians can slip into indifference for many reasons. I'm beginning a new series this week on the problem of how to restore hope to fading faith because I think this happens a lot. I'm going to take wisdom and encouragement from the Epistle to the Hebrews. Read Hebrews 1:1-2:1 with me this week. Notice how important good thinking is to keeping hope alive. Here's a "thought": read verses 1-4 and then pray, "Dear God", and then stop right there and think about what you just read. I wonder what might happen to your hope, and your determination. This is not a matter of indifference, is it? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100829.mp3 On Our Way from Saul to David I Samuel 17:1-11, 32-50 Rev. Jennifer Kates Witten http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100822.mp3 28:06 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:35:14 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100822.mp3 Light in Clay Jars II Corinthians 4:1-12 Rev. Steven B. Miller http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100815.mp3 26:24 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:05:42 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100815.mp3 Saul: Profile in Ambivalence I Samuel 10:17-24 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100808.mp3 25:21 Sun, 8 Aug 2010 20:43:48 GMT What place should government have in our lives? This is a perpetual debate. The Bible is not indifferent on this question because, in the Bible's view, human organizations "will eventually try to compete with God" (note from my study Bible). I'm looking at the circumstances surrounding anointing the first king of Israel and cannot miss the expressions of ambivalence (check I Samuel 10:17-24). We can feel it too when we're called upon to take a leadership role. Personal and corporate inadequacy is a good thing. Who is really "qualified" to lead in a church, or in a community, or a nation? It occurs to me that for our own good the best place for government is on its knees asking for wisdom and the strength to remain faithful under the Creator who loves us all with grace and truth. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100808.mp3 You are a Witness Acts 1:8 Dr. Keith Phillips http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100801.mp3 31:19 Sun, 1 Aug 2010 20:24:30 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100801.mp3 Young Samuel I Samuel 3:1-10 Mr. Luke Phillips http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100725.mp3 21:15 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:59:08 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100725.mp3 Hannah - How Difficult Families Become Devoted Families I Samuel 1:1-20 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100718.mp3 29:38 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:00:08 GMT Call me slow, but only somewhat recently did I come to the conclusion that "families are difficult". This, I am now sure, is a universal truth. Certainly the Bible tells me this is so. For example, look at Elkanah's family in I Samuel 1. Poor man. Poor miserable wives. But tucked into every turn in their struggle are all these references to prayer and worship. I count sixteen of them. It turns out this family represents a pivotal moment in history. When prayer and worship are a daily (and weekly) reality in a family's life I suspect other pivotal moments occur. Notice the honesty. Notice the persistence. Notice how no one in the family can fulfill anyone else's expectations. Because only God can do that. Let's learn Hannah's Song, with our hearts. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100718.mp3 Ruth - Hope and Trust in God Ruth 1:1-18 Dr. Moses Pulei http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100711.mp3 23:11 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:41:19 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100711.mp3 Samson -- Finding Strength Again Judges 16:1-22 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100704.mp3 25:46 Sun, 4 Jul 2010 20:28:17 GMT What if I were to ask you, "What makes you strong?" What first comes to mind? There are lots of possibilities. You could take my question literally and say, "Well I've got a couple of nice biceps here..." Or maybe you'd answer with your good upbringing, or your well-rounded education. Of course many would say, "God makes me strong." I'm finding it fascinating to think about Samson and Delilah (Judges 16:4-22) as we head toward Sunday, July 4th. For us at WPC it's also a Communion Sunday. If you could ask Samson what made him strong I wonder how he would answer. He is a profile in learning. His lesson is what happens when we become overconfident in our strengths. The lesson applies to you and me as persons. I think it applies to a whole nation too. Christian philosopher Charles Taylor says, "High values require strong sources." That's where communion comes in. One more thought: Jesus once said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." If he's right, what really makes us strong? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100704.mp3 Gideon - Why Me? Judges 6:11-40 Rev. John Burnett http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100627.mp3 22:31 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 20:13:12 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100627.mp3 A Clash of Wills Judges 4 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100620.mp3 26:09 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:13:30 GMT "The trouble with you Christians is that your Bible is full of violence." Ever hear that one? In a way they're right. The Bible fully acknowledges a violent world that at times needs to be "stopped". But that's not the whole story. Read Judges 4 with me this week and get ready for some PG-13 details on how a tent peg became a deadly implement in the hands of a woman who knew how to swing a hammer. It turns out we believe in a God who has fully entered into a very violent world (think about your kid's video games, think about the NBA playoffs, not to mention wars and crime) in order to show us all, the whole world, a better way. "Judge" Deborah can help us all. In the mean time, if at all possible, be at peace with all people (Romans 12:18). http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100620.mp3 What Are We Doing Here? Revelation 4 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100613.mp3 22:34 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:56:05 GMT Some time ago a young mother shared with me after worship the reason she comes to church is because an hour later she has already forgotten that God loves her. I suspect she is hardly alone. Perhaps we are all spiritual amnesiacs. The problem is when we forget God's grace, power and truth, other things begin to take God's place. I'm trying to see the vision of worship given us in Revelation 4. This is better than any film maker can offer because actually you can't just "see" this vision. You have to take it in through every sense. Worship is supposed to be powerfully evocative for a simple reason. It's supposed to remind us that worship is all about offering ourselves up to the One who sits on the Throne. And that offering only begins when we are gathered on Sundays. This Sunday we give thanks for our music ministries. Revelation 4 gives us where these ministries come from and what they are for. I hope you can join us this Sunday as we join in with the heavenly chorus. Who knows? Maybe you'll come away with a song in your heart that lasts longer than an hour. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100613.mp3 Going Through the Motions Matthew 5:13-16 Mr. Stephen Stewart http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100606-1.mp3 6:32 Sun, 6 Jun 2010 22:35:29 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100606-1.mp3 God's Plan Romans 8:28 Mr. Ben Wolhaupter http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100606-2.mp3 13:10 Sun, 6 Jun 2010 22:31:39 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100606-2.mp3 Integrity Proverbs 4:20-27 Ms. Kristen Kruger http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100606-3.mp3 12:53 Sun, 6 Jun 2010 22:32:52 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100606-3.mp3 More Than Just a Number Ephesians 2:8-10 Ms. Michelle Harvey http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100606-4.mp3 9:40 Sun, 6 Jun 2010 22:34:12 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100606-4.mp3 The Power of Prayer Romans 8:11-17,26-27 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100530.mp3 25:51 Sun, 30 May 2010 19:27:43 GMT Ever watch a child stumble and bang her knee on something hard? First there is a look of "I can't believe this just happened." But then, as soon as she sees her mom or dad's face, what does she do? She bursts into tears. Why? Because she knows she will be comforted. She knows she can let it all out. She can empty her fear and pain out on her loving parents who will hold her as the pain slowly subsides. Read with me Romans 8:12-17 and then Romans 8:26-27","26-27. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray "Abba! Father!" Actually Paul doesn't say "pray", he says, "cry out". That cry can be of fear and pain. It can be of profound joy. It is real, honest prayer directed to the God who loves us beyond words. Our joy deepens over time as the Spirit helps us to pray. But so does our sense of things undone, and of suffering. That's just how love is. More and more we feel what God feels. In prayer we are invited to participate in God's redemptive work. So it is a profound thing to pray for our world and our nation this Memorial Day. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100530.mp3 Boldness John 20:19-22; Acts 2:1-4 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100523.mp3 27:13 Sun, 23 May 2010 19:51:54 GMT Ever watch a child stumble and bang her knee on something hard? First there is a look of "I can't believe this just happened." But then, as soon as she sees her mom or dad's face, what does she do? She bursts into tears. Why? Because she knows she will be comforted. She knows she can let it all out. She can empty her fear and pain out on her loving parents who will hold her as the pain slowly subsides. Read with me Romans 8:12-17 and then Romans 8:26-27","26-27. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray "Abba! Father!" Actually Paul doesn't say "pray", he says, "cry out". That cry can be of fear and pain. It can be of profound joy. It is real, honest prayer directed to the God who loves us beyond words. Our joy deepens over time as the Spirit helps us to pray. But so does our sense of things undone, and of suffering. That's just how love is. More and more we feel what God feels. In prayer we are invited to participate in God's redemptive work. So it is a profound thing to pray for our world and our nation this Memorial Day. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100523.mp3 What Are We Waiting For? Joel 2:28-29; Luke 24:45-49 Nathan Reeder http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100516.mp3 19:31 Sun, 16 May 2010 19:20:38 GMT After His suffering He presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). The disciples. They had the knowledge. They had the experience. They had the desire. But Jesus said, "Wait. You're not ready. Not yet." What were they waiting for? We have one more Sunday before we celebrate Pentecost on May 23, which commemorates when the Holy Spirit inspired some ordinary people like you and me to wreck this planet with the message of Jesus. So, what are we waiting for? http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100516.mp3 You are Gifted... and Called I Corinthians 12:1-11 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100509.mp3 23:00 Sun, 9 May 2010 20:28:05 GMT If you're going to start a movement, you have to get your people ready. You have to "equip" them. Like an army before battle. Like the launch of a whole new business idea. We "train". We teach skills. What about the Holy Spirit? What does the Spirit do? The Spirit of the Risen Christ "gifts" us. Read I Corinthians 12:1-11. What this is saying is that if you have opened your heart to Christ, you are gifted with abilities that only make sense in terms of the movement Jesus' rising began. Embezzle these gifts for any other purpose and they cease being gifts. But how do we figure out (the fancy word is "discern") what gifts the Spirit of Christ has given us? There are ways. One hint. You can't do this by yourself. Another hint. You also can't do this without the teaching of God's word. Okay, another hint. You can't steer the wheels on a parked car. Join me this Sunday to find out more. This is very important because the movement requires your using His gifts. Why not begin today by praying, "OK, Lord, I believe you've gifted me. Now help me figure out just what those gifts are so I can put them to work." http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100509.mp3 The Fruit of the Spirit (On Character) Galatians 5:16-6:2 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100502.mp3 18:55 Sun, 2 May 2010 20:36:47 GMT Backpack food has gotten sophisticated. Everything is freeze dried, a blend of chemicals you can't pronounce, power bars loaded with energy carbs, and all sorts of jerky. But there's nothing like the fresh taste of an apple when you're way up the trail. What a contrast! No one has yet engineered anything like an apple. They never will either. I'm thinking about the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). The apostle chose his word carefully - "fruit" as opposed to "rules". He was trying to help us understand what the Holy Spirit grows in us while we walk with the Risen Christ. Apples grow naturally. The fruit of the Spirit grows in us supernaturally. What's our part in this? To borrow from an old children's sermon: If you want good fruit, take care of the root. What's growing on the end of your limbs? If you don't like what you see there, by the power of the Holy Spirit it CAN change. A final thought: fruit is for others to use. No good just leaving it all hanging there... http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100502.mp3 That's the Spirit! Ezekiel 37:1-10; John 14:15-17 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100425.mp3 26:02 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:47:12 GMT We like to say, "That's the spirit!", or "She's really spiritual", or "I'm spiritual, but not religious." The obvious question is what do we mean by "spirit"? Maybe we don't want to define what we mean. Because then we'd have to get specific. And then we'd have to get into what's "unspiritual", and that leads to feeling judgmental. Keep it light, open and vague and everybody's happy. Right? Read John 14:15-18 with me. Jesus defines this word "spirit". He embodies it. He describes the spirit as the "Spirit of Truth". Trouble is the world cannot accept this. To be completely honest, much of the time neither can we. But Jesus has prayed for you and me to be given the Holy Spirit. Biblically speaking, "truth" is what is real. Want to be spiritual? Prepare to weep, and laugh, and grieve, and to be surprised by a passionate urge to act, and to feel your heart broken open and poured out, and to feel like a kid with millions of questions, and to fall deeply in love with Jesus. Prepare for boldness. He is right there with you in this moment as you read this, and in every moment. Learn all you can. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100425.mp3 In This Together Malachi 3:6-12; Acts 2:37-42 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100418.mp3 24:23 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:08:38 GMT If you consider WPC your spiritual home I'm asking that you come to church this Sunday. If you cannot come I ask that you go to our website and click on and listen to the message for April 18. If you do not consider WPC your church home, of course you are more than welcome any Sunday. We love it when you come! It will be interesting for you to be there. In preparation please read Acts 2:37-47. This week I am in Haiti with our team visiting our projects. Pray for our friends, for good conversation, for wise planning, and bold trusting the Boss there, and here. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100418.mp3 Radical Hospitality Luke 24:13-35 Rev. John Burnett http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100411.mp3 19:52 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:58:19 GMT http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100411.mp3 How God Loves Us Luke 24:36-49 Rev. Richard H. Thompson http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100404.mp3 16:57 Sun, 4 Apr 2010 19:59:56 GMT Welcome to Holy Week. It gives new meaning to "Monday Warm Up", doesn't it? Warming up to this Week. Because if you are a Christian you have work to do. You and I, by returning to the events of the last week of Jesus' earthly ministry also face why he had to do it. We have to face our own real situation and condition. This we spend most of our time trying to avoid. "Holy" week exposes our unholiness. But be of good courage brothers and sisters. This is good soul work. It will make you and me stronger. It will make us more able to face the real world. It will clean out our souls to make room for immense, ineffable, joy. Use the worship opportunities, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and of course, Easter. Get alone and let the Boss talk to you about you, and Him, and life. This is how God loves you. Prepare for your heart to burst open. http://www.wpcwestlake.org/services/mp3/sermon20100404.mp3